Before buying a piece of commercial property, it’s important to have a detailed survey conducted on the land and any improvements. At Point to Point Land Surveyors, Inc., our team of experts are highly experienced in providing quality ALTA land title surveys, combining years of experience with excellent customer service to deliver accurate results, on time and within budget.
What Is An Alta Land Title Survey?
Also sometimes referred to as an “ALTA/ACSM survey,” an ALTA land title survey is one of the most detailed land surveys available, performed and prepared in accordance with the specifications laid out by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the American Congress of Surveying and Mapping (ACSM). Specifically designed for commercial property transactions, this survey goes far beyond the basic boundary surveys that are often sufficient for residential real estate. A licensed surveyor will conduct a detailed physical survey of the land, combined with in-depth research of existing records, to provide details on the location of improvements, easement information and much more. Here are just a few of the features that may appear on an ALTA survey:
- Location and elevation of all structural improvements on the property (i.e., buildings, fences, walkways, roads, etc.)
- Location of water features and/or water boundaries
- Zoning setbacks for the property
- Public road access
- Information on property easements and their ramifications
- Information on neighboring property owners
- Information on possible encroachments
- Evidence of cemeteries that might have once existed on the land
Why Is An Alta Land Title Survey Needed?
Because of the legalities involved with running a business, there is a certain amount of enhanced risk with the purchase of commercial properties in particular. Undesirable easements, boundary disputes with neighbors, encroachments and other issues can all contribute to devaluing a piece of property or cause unwanted legal entanglements. For this reason, lenders, title companies and insurance companies often require ALTA land title surveys during a commercial purchase because the detail provided on these surveys helps them identify (and hopefully resolve) any potential problems with the property before closing.
Whether or not your lender or insurance company requires this survey, it’s always a good idea to have it done prior to a commercial land purchase because it helps protect your interests as the buyer and gives you a better idea as to whether the property is a desirable purchase, contact us here or call us at 866.706.9114.
For Additional Information:
- Title Insurance and ALTA Land Title Surveys [link to article]
- When Do You Need an ALTA Survey? [link to article]